Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Rhododendron degronianum
Degronianum Rhododendron
- Family
- Ericaceae
- Height
- 2 to 8 ft
- Width
- 3 to 8 ft
- Flower color
- Pale pink-to-white flowers, sometimes with subtle red spotting
- Foliage color
- Evergreen leaves; dark green ever on top with soft, felt-like undersides
- Bloom time
- Mid spring
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; requires minimal pruning beyond removing spent blooms and shaping
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 6a to 9b
- Wildlife
- Flowers attract bees and other pollinators; evergreen foliage provides shelter for birds
About this plant
Rhododendron degronianum is an evergreen rhododendron with thick, dark green leaves that are often felted beneath with a pale to tawny covering. New growth may show a lighter, woolly sheen before maturing. In late spring into early summer, rounded trusses of funnel- to bell-shaped flowers open soft pink and may pale toward white as they age, floating above the foliage.
Native to Japan, it grows in mountain forests and subalpine areas. Described in the 1800s, it is grown for refined foliage texture and dependable seasonal bloom. Its evergreen structure suits sheltered woodland borders and mixed rhododendron plantings in lightly shaded garden settings.
Works well in
Shade Gardens · Foundation Plantings · Cottage Gardens · Woodland Gardens
Companion plants
Yew · Astilbe · Ajuga · Sweet box · Anemone · Oregon grape
Design tip
Allow Rhododendron degronianum enough space for its distinctive foliage to remain visible. Pairing its substantial evergreen form with finer-textured plants nearby emphasizes the contrast and keeps a shaded planting visually engaging between flowering seasons.
